What To Do If A Hamster Tumor Burst? Let's Find Out -

One of the most common questions many hamster owners ask is what to do when a hamster’s tumor bursts.

it is not at all pleasant to see pus or blood flowing from a newly ruptured tumor, the picture is very unpleasant indeed.

What to do if a hamster tumor burst?

It is necessary to clean the remaining of tumor or abscess from the rest of the pus or blood on the spot with a clean cloth and then with water. The wound is then cleaned with saline solutions or antiseptics to prevent infection.

In today’s article, you will learn what to do when a tumor bursts in hamsters, as well as about similar questions related to tumors.

Table of Contents show

What to do if a hamster tumor burst?

When the hamster’s tumor bursts you should continue to squeeze or drain the remaining blood or pus from the abscess itself.

This is important so that remains of the pus do not stay inside the abscess itself, the better you squeeze it out, the less chance it will reappear in the same place.

The healing of the wound itself at the place of the tumor will heal faster if the spot is well drained.

Before you start cleaning the area, wash your hands with warm water and soap.

After draining the tumor, the area should be cleaned well so that it can heal and there are no infections or other side effects at the abscess location.

Clean the wound first with a clean cloth and then with water to reduce the chances of infection.

Next is cleaning the area of the ruptured tumor, which requires the use of saline or antibacterial agents such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine.

If the wound continues to bleed, gently press the area with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.

Then cover the wound with sterile gauze or a bandage to protect the area from infection.

Next is the use of antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian that will help heal the inside of the tumor place and enable the healing of the wound itself.

Follow the instructions given by your vet and your hamster will heal successfully and hopefully, the tumor will not reoccur in the same place.

What are the signs of a tumor in hamsters?

When hamsters have a tumor it can be noticed by certain signs and behaviors of your hamster.

The most common signs of a tumor are:

diarrhea
bloody poop
they have no appetite and lose weight

have problems with balance
aggressive behavior
lethargy

loss of fur on certain parts of the body

All of these signs and symptoms if you notice them in your hamster should indicate that something is wrong and you should take your pet to the vet immediately for an examination.

Sometimes these signs do not necessarily mean that there is a tumor, because they can also be a sign of the occurrence of other diseases and problems with the health, but the veterinarian will determine what it is about with an examination.

Tumors and abscesses in hamsters and their difference

When hamsters have a tumor it is caused by the growth of cells in some part of the body, and they can be malignant or benign.

Malignant tumors are dangerous tumors that are cancerous and spread to other parts of the body.

If the hamster has malignant tumors, then the danger to their life is very significant, but fortunately, over 96% of all tumors in hamsters are benign.

Benign tumors, unlike malignant tumors, are not dangerous for the life of hamsters, they do not spread through other parts of the body, and most importantly, they are not cancerous.

Benign tumors can be removed, but they can also be left as they are if they do not concern the hamster in his daily needs, that is, if they do not concern him in the movement of his body.

In any case, when the hamster has a tumor, it should immediately be taken to a veterinarian who will perform tests with ultrasound and x-rays, and with a biopsy will check what kind of tumor it is.

An abscess is a pus that forms in a specific area of the hamster’s body in order to prevent the spread of infection throughout the hamster’s body.

Abscesses usually occur when hamsters have bacteria, parasites, or infections throughout their bodies.

The very blood vessels that are located at the area of the abscess become inflamed due to the bacteria and parasites that are present and therefore enlarge in order to get rid of these unwanted microorganisms.

In the end, there is bursting and release of the liquid that is inside the abscess, and then the process of healing on the spot begins.

In which places do tumors appear in hamsters?

Tumors in hamsters can appear in various places on their body, the most common place is the bum, and the tumor that appears can be of different size and shape.

The tumor can be huge, which is very uncomfortable for the hamster and makes it difficult for him to move.

Tumors very often appear on the stomach of hamsters, and they can also appear on the neck, cheeks, side parts of the body, and in other places.

Sometimes the tumors are small and you may not be able to notice them, so it is necessary to bring them to a veterinarian for a regular examination, which will detect the appearance of tumors.

Do abscesses cause death in hamsters?

It must be emphasized that abscesses, unlike tumors, do not cause death in hamsters.

Abscesses will explode after a certain time when they grow, then it is most important to clean them well so that they do not reappear.

For this purpose, saline solutions are used, which help to better clean the wound from the abscess and heal on the spot.

Sometimes if the place is not cleaned well, a small abscess appears again and this can be repeated until the place is completely cleaned, but eventually the place will heal and the hamster will be fine.

How long do hamsters with tumors live?

When hamsters have a malignant or cancerous tumor, they can live for several days or several months, it all depends on the tumor itself and its spread throughout the body.

Some malignant tumors spread very quickly, while others spread at a slow pace and the hamster can live for a long time.

By examining the hamster, the veterinarian determines what type of malignant tumor it is, and its spread and will tell you approximately how much time the hamster has left.

Unfortunately, when the tumor is malignant, the hamster will certainly die, it just remains to be seen how long it will take, and then you can only help the hamster to spend the last days in the best conditions in your cage.

The benign tumor is usually harmless and the hamsters continue to live a normal life without consequences for their health.

Are tumors in hamsters easy to spot?

Tumors in hamsters are often very difficult to spot if they are in a part of the body that is not as visible, such as the inside of the hamster’s uterus.

Such tumors are noticed only when they are already in an advanced stage, and if the tumor is malignant then it is already too late to take action because it has already spread through other parts of the body.

In such situations, nothing can be done to stop the spread of the tumor and all that remains is to allow the hamsters to have a more comfortable last days in their lives.

If the tumor appears in the form of a lump on the outer part of the body, then it can be easily noticed, especially if it is in the area of the head, neck, and cheeks.

When you touch the tumor, the hamster will not react because it will not feel pain, while when there is an abscess, then it will hurt, so you can know if it is an abscess or a tumor.

How is a tumor treated in hamsters?

As soon as you notice that your hamster has a lump somewhere on its body, you should immediately take it to the vet for an examination.

When hamsters have tumors, time is a key factor in better treating your pet.

The vet will do appropriate examinations with ultrasound and x-rays to check if there really is a tumor or just an abscess.

If it is an abscess then the vet will recommend cleaning the abscess and treating it. If it is a tumor, he will do tests to see if it is a malignant or benign tumor.

When hamsters have a tumor, surgery is recommended, which if it is on an external tumor is much easier to perform, while if the tumor is internal and in a delicate place like the liver, then the chances are small.

Internal tumors are risky for surgery and can lead to the death of the hamster, so sometimes veterinarians recommend euthanasia.

It is up to you to decide whether to allow euthanasia or let the hamster live on, but if it is in a lot of pain then that is the best choice.

Hamster tumor removal cost

Removing the tumor in hamsters with surgery costs about 200-300 dollars.

However, we must emphasize that you will have to be charged additionally for other services at the vet such as examination and antibiotics.

When a hamster has an advanced tumor then it may not be worth the surgery as the hamster will have very little chance of survival and it may not be possible to completely remove the affected area.

How to care for a hamster after tumor surgery?

After surgery to remove a tumor in a hamster, you need to take a lot of care of your hamster so that it can recover more easily.

The vet will give you appropriate pain medication while the hamster recovers at home.

The hamster may have stress and trauma after the unpleasant experience and therefore you will have to be gentle with him, speak quietly to him, and keep him in a calm environment.

If you notice complications such as swelling at the location of the tumor, immediately contact a veterinarian to examine your pet.

Conclusion

When the hamster’s tumor bursts, it should be washed immediately with saline solution or antiseptic agents.

Then take him to the vet to examine him and see if further treatment is needed.

Take care of the hamster as best you can when the tumor bursts so that it can recover as quickly as possible.

Tumors are common in hamsters, so you should be on the lookout for any lumps or bumps that appear on their bodies and take them to the vet immediately.